Metal and timber, the two foremost choices for materials for constructing gates and railings, come with a variety of advantages and disadvantages when compared to one another. Depending on the location and bespoke requirements of your property, these pros and cons can make your decision for you. Check out this short blog comparing wooden and metal gates, to help you decide which is right for you!
Timber Gates
Wooden gates are much lighter than metal ones, and thus easier and usually cheaper to install. They’re also far more versatile on aesthetic, as wooden gates can be easily painted any colour you wish, or stained to mimic a range of different timbers. Wooden gates are usually crafted from thick planks and beams, making them very sturdy.
However, with wooden gates damage is a bigger risk than with metal. Impact damage from vehicles or heavy objects can crack or splinter your wooden gates, while paint eroding away will reveal the wood underneath, allowing it to begin to wear and rot, and perhaps even allow wood eating insects like termites to root inside.
Because of the above, maintenance is usually required more often with timber than with metal gates. You may need to repaint or re-treat your wooden gates regularly to prevent water damage, weathering, or rot.
Wrought Iron Gates
Metal gates are also extremely durable, and far more resistant to damage that timber. However, this extra strength and resilience comes with a higher price tag! Wrought iron gates also have a more specific aesthetic, so although they can be painted like timber, usually neutral colours like black are the best to perfect your wrought iron aesthetic.
Metal gates are more resistant to damage in a range of ways. Aside from being much stronger and resistant to impact damage, wrought iron is also completely resistant to any insect infestation or rotting away. However, this doesn’t mean that the weather cannot damage your gate! If your paint coat chips away and reveals the iron underneath, oxidation and rusting can occur. So it’s just as vital to keep up with your treatments to prevent erosion, although maintenance is certainly required far less often for wrought iron gates than for wooden gates!